Power Media

Women’s match report from Googong

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The Kiama Power women’s team claimed a 40-point victory over the 2025 AFL Canberra Community Division One premiers, Googong Hogs, in a pre-season practice match at Rockley Oval last Saturday.

The match is one of two pre-season hit-outs before the Power’s AFL South Coast season officially kicks off on Saturday, April 11 at Keira Oval.

Kiama kicked the first goal of the match through new recruit Sophee Turner, who benefited from the defensive pressure of her teammates further up the field, which earned a free kick for the ball to travel deep inside 50m where Turner made the most of the opportunity.

Six inside-50’s and a goal from midfielder Maddi Aitkin, plus two goals to key forward Courtney Smith, saw the Power take a 19-point lead into the first change as the Power’s back six valliantly defended Googong’s seven inside-50’s whilst only conceding one goal.

New recruit Jazmin Tikkeros put forward a strong case for a Round 1 debut, with her presence in the midfield resulting in a forward-50 entry in the first minute of the second term, allowing Courtney Smith to bag her third goal for the day.

In her first ever game of football, Abby Freimanis performed strongly in the ruck, gifting her midfielders with first-use of the football and taking strong contested marks, with Savamah Detheridge kicking a goal on the back of a Freimanis intercept mark inside-50.

Power head coach Tony Grady said Freimanis played her role well in an impressive outing, alongside a number of new Power players.

“Abby kept getting getter throughout the game, and once she realised she could consistently win the taps, she was serving the footy on a platter for our mids,” Grady said.

“Lara McGee was solid in defense in the first half alongside Emer Perry, and Lara moved forward in the second half and kicked a great goal.”

Second half goals to Lara McGee, Carra Sheldon and Courtney Smith sealed the victory for Kiama, but coach Grady was most pleased with his team’s defensive efforts which held Googong to score only 1.1 in the second half.

“In the third quarter we kept the ball in our forward half for over 13 minutes, which was all on the back of our defensive structure and relentless pressure,” Grady said.

“The girls continued that in the last quarter, not allowing the opposition past halfway until the very last minute. Credit again to our front-half defensive pressure.”

Midfielders Maddie Edwards and Maddi Aitkin were influential in the pre-season hit out, and were superbly supported in the midfield by talented ruck Teneale Keene, junior star Grace Vernon-Rogers and new recruits Siane Fonua and Jazmin Tikkeros.

Another Kiama junior player, Chloe Richards, was constantly a threat from half-back and her pinpoint kicking accuracy allowed the Power to transition the ball from their defensive end with ease. 

Forward Courtney Smith capped the win with a terrific goal in the fourth quarter, her fourth major for the day, to secure the 9.11-65 to 4.1-25 victory. 

KIAMA 9.11-65
GOOGONG 4.1-25

Goals
Kiama: Courtney Smith (4), Carra Sheldon, Maddi Aitkin, Lara McGee, Savanah Detheridge, Sophee Turner

Next week, Kiama will host the Wollongong Bulldogs for an official practice match on Saturday, March 1 at 1.00pm at Bonaira Oval.

Men’s match report from Googong

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There were plenty of positives to come out of last Saturday’s pre-season practice matches in Googong, as the Kiama Power men’s squad outscored the Wollongong Bulldogs and Googong Hogs.

Playing four 22-minute quarters at Rockley Oval, Sean Byrne’s men made the trip down the Hume Highway, with the likes of Josh Simpson, Toby Trudgett and Shea Hammond in the midfield, and Harry Wallace and Max Cook featuring in the backline.

Despite missing Jack Eastwood, Jamison Lynn, Luke Vallence, Max Whiticker, Odin Brown and Ryley Walker due to Navy representative duties, and only seven of last year’s regular senior team making the trip south, the remainder of the Kiama squad took part in Saturday’s intense hit-out as the Power turned up the heat ahead of their final practice match against the Woden Blues on Saturday, March 21 in Kiama.

TERRIFIC TOBY 

One of the stories of the day was the dominant form of emerging star, Toby Trudgett. 

Playing predominantly in the midfield, the electric 19-year-old finished the day with 25 disposals and took multiple intercept marks in an eye-catching display. 

Not only was he dangerous with the ball, Trudgett also made chasedown tackles inside Kiama’s forward 50m and was deemed as Head of Football Operations Sam Hodges’ best player on the day. 

“Trudge was doing a lot of the one-percenters exceptionally well as a mid,” Hodges said.

RISING RHYS

While Trudgett went about his business in the middle of the ground, Rhys Hartwig stole the show up forward to prove that he’s ready to make a big impact in his new colours in 2026. 

Primarily playing as a full forward, Hartwig kicked one goal in two quarters against the Bulldogs, before getting into his groove for a strong showing as he kicked four majors in the following two quarters against the Hogs.

Hartwig’s second half performance included six contested marks inside 50m. 

Providing a glimpse of how dynamic their partnership could be, Hartwig combined brilliantly with fellow recruit Liam Zeschke as both key forwards provided plenty of options in the front half of the ground as they look to become permanent fixtures in the Power forward line this season.

MAGIC McGEE

Last year Ethan McGee had a breakout campaign which saw the youngster regularly featured as one of the best players in reserve grade, and was always reliable when called into the senior team.  

The talented midfielder – who has been one of the shining lights on the track across the pre-season – was everywhere in Saturday’s practice match, finding plenty of the footy from half-back and running on top of the ground to play a huge role in the Power’s surging playing style.

RESULTS
First Half vs Bulldogs
Kiama 5.4-34
Wollongong 4.3-27

Second Half vs Hogs
Kiama 6.4-40
Googong 5.5-35

The next phase of Kiama’s pre-season preparations will see the Power men take on the Woden Blues at Bonaira Oval on Saturday, March 21 at 11am.  

Will returns to the Power

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Will Stewart will return home to Kiama and pull on the black and teal jumper again in season 2026.

Stewart has committed to the Power after a few years away from the club, and is another key signing which adds to the biggest recruitment campaign in the club’s history.

The 26-year-old ruckman will return home after one season with the Northern Districts Tigers.

Stewart will return to play his fourth season for Kiama, after three years at the Power between 2017 and 2021, along with two seasons in the Farrer League with Charles Sturt University. Previously he played a whopping 168 junior games in Kiama. 

Kiama’s Head of Football Operations Sam Hodges welcomed Stewart back to the Power.

“We are very pleased to have Will return to the club and the Kiama family,” Hodges said.

“Will is still playing exceptional football, and really dominated us in the last quarter of a game for Norths last year where they rallied back and beat us by a goal. He obviously has a long association with the club being a Power junior, so it’s an exciting signing for everyone involved with the club. 

“We know in talking to Will that he is thrilled about coming back to Kiama.”

2026 Season Launch

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The Kiama Power will officially kick off their 25th season with the club’s 2026 Season Launch night, to be held at the Kiama Power Clubrooms, Bonaira Oval on Saturday, 21st March.

The event comes just 21 days before Kiama’s opening round Men’s and Women’s Premier Division matches against the Wollongong Lions and Wollongong Bulldogs at Bonaira Oval.

The evening will include guernsey presentations to the 2026 playing groups from their new coaches, plus the club’s $1,000 Draw.

RSVP here by Monday 16th March.

Date: Saturday, 21st March 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Kiama Power Clubrooms, Bonaira Oval
Dress code: Cocktail, lounge suit, semi-formal

Welcome Liam Zeschke

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The Kiama Power are delighted to announce the signing of talented utility Liam Zeschke for the 2026 season.

Zeschke, 29, arrives at the club after winning the 2025 AFL South Coast Reserve Grade premiership with the Bay & Basin Bombers.

Originally a product of the Deniliquin Rovers, Zeschke has also spent some seasons in Melbourne with South Yarra (Southern FL) and Old Geelong (VAFA).

A gifted footballer with the ability to play anywhere on the field, Zeschke can be utilised as centre halfback, centre half forward and in the midfield.

Former Bay & Basin teammate and 2025 Scott Phillips Medallist, Hamish Robertson, praised Zeschke with a simple statement.

“The guy can play,” he said.

Ressies legend becomes ressies coach

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A premiership winning player with the Kiama Power in 2017, Jamie Browne returned to the Power ahead of the 2026 season as the new head coach of the men’s reserves side.

A familiar face in Kiama and a regular at Bonaira Oval, Browne was a stalwart of the club, playing 82 games for the Power between 2014 and 2023.

Browne joins a new look men’s coaching group at the Power, including senior head coach Sean Byrne and assistant coach Tom Balding.

With the men’s playing list being the deepest and strongest that it has been in some years, Browne is expected to have a talented roster each week in reserve grade.

Browne has the opportunity to steer his side to a reserve grade premiership in 2026 – just as he did as a player in 2017.

Nash Graham joins the Power

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The Kiama Power are pleased to announce the signing of talented midfielder Nash Graham for the 2026 AFL South Coast season and beyond.

The 24-year-old joins the Club following three seasons at Keysborough FC in Victoria’s Southern Football Netball League.  

Despite a five-year absence from the game prior to 2023, Graham had not lost a step from his decorated junior playing career, as he went on to make 31 appearances for the senior team at Keysborough. 

O’Leary and Edwards appointed co-captains

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Cassie O’Leary and Maddie Edwards will lead the Kiama Power as co-captains for the 2026 AFL South Coast season.

O’Leary and Edwards’ co-captaincy was announced by women’s senior co-coach Tony Grady to the men’s and women’s playing groups last week.

O’Leary continues as co-captain while Edwards takes on the shared role after arriving in Kiama midway through 2025.

“Cassie and Maddie are really going to be driving those standards at training this season,” co-coach Grady said.

“If you ever need someone to look for, to really get on the back of and follow their example, they’re two perfect people for you to follow.”

Entering the club’s 25th AFL season, O’Leary and Edwards become vital leaders as the Power’s women’s program continues to build with the addition of a reserve grade in 2026.

“Cassie O’Leary has been captain last few years, she’ll play her 100th game for club later this season and become the first woman to reach that milestone,” Grady said.

“She has been since the start (in 2018) and is an absolute pillar of our women’s program, and we couldn’t move forward without her.

“Since joining the club last year, Maddie Edwards has had an immediate impact with her training standards, and her ability to connect with teammates and everyone at the club.

“We’re really luck to have someone like Maddie at the club, who won a player’s player award at VFL level only two or three seasons ago.”

O’Leary and Edwards will head a wider leadership group for 2026, which will be finalised later in the pre-season.

Kiama Power pre-season schedule confirmed

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The Kiama Power have confirmed the pre-season schedule ahead of the 2026 AFL South Coast Season.

The Club’s men’s and women’s programs will return to training on Tuesday, January 20th – with sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 5.45pm at Bonaira Oval, Kiama.

Women’s training will change to every Monday and Thursday from 2nd March.

The men’s squad will hold an intraclub match simulation training session on Tuesday, March 3 from 6pm.

The first official practice match takes place on Saturday, March 14 as the Power face the Googong Hogs (men’s and women’s) and Wollongong Bulldogs (men’s) in Canberra.

The Power will also take on the Woden Blues (men’s) and Wollongong Bulldogs (women’s) a week later in a practice match at Bonaira Oval on Saturday, March 21.

Additionally, the Club’s annual cricket match will take place on Saturday, February 28th – which is a memorable social event during the pre-season, with the Old Boys chasing a third consecutive victory.

Ahead of Round One on Saturday, April 11th, there is plenty of excitement in Kiama ahead of the Club’s 25th season which includes the addition of a women’s reserves team and several key recruits in the men’s program.

For any new or interested players, please contact the club via our social media channels or email kiamaafc@gmail.com for more information.

Men’s and Women’s Pre-Season Training

Commences Tuesday January 20
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Bonaira Oval
5.45pm to 7.15pm

Annual T20 Cricket Match

Saturday February 28
Young Bloods v Old Boys
Bonaira Oval, Kiama

Men’s Intraclub Match Simulation

Tuesday March 3
Bonaira Oval, Kiama
From 6pm

Pre-Season Matches

Saturday March 14
Kiama Power v Googong Hogs & Wollongong Bulldogs
Rockley Oval, Googong
11:00am Women vs Googong
1:00pm Men vs Wollongong
2:00pm Men vs Googong

Saturday March 21
Kiama Power v Woden Blues & Wollongong Bulldogs
Bonaira Oval, Kiama
11:00am Men vs Woden
1:00pm Women vs Wollongong

2026 Season Launch

Saturday March 21
From 6:30pm at Kiama Power Clubrooms
Bonaira Oval, Kiama

Jamison Lynn lands in Kiama

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The Kiama Power are delighted to announce the signing of former Inner West Magpie, Jamison Lynn, for the 2026 AFL South Coast season.

Lynn, 23, is a tough intercepting halfback with experience in AFL Sydney Premier Division and the South Australian youth system.

Lynn joins the Power with a strong resume, which includes the 2022 Best & Fairest award at Cerberus Bulldogs in Melbourne, and a strong three-year stint with the Inner West Magpies in Sydney.

Originally from Adelaide, Lynn was a star junior footballer who represented the Sturt Double Blues in the SANFL Youth Championships and played junior representative games for the Hills Football League.

Power head coach Sean Byrne said it was great to welcome Lynn to the club for season 2026.

“It’s great to be adding someone with Jamison’s experience and talent to our group,” Byrne said.

“Not only has he played SANFL juniors and won a club best and fairest at Cerberus, but he’s been part of a strong football environment in Sydney and we’re excited about how he can help our group in 2026.”

Lynn has previously played with fellow Power teammates Tyrone Mitchell (Inner West and Cerberus) and Odin Brown (Cerberus), with the familiar faces making the move a smooth transition.

2025 Player’s Player winner – and fellow South Australian – Jack Eastwood was excited to learn that Lynn had committed for the 2026 season.

“Jamison is an absolute gun player, but most importantly, an unreal guy,” Eastwood said.

Since committing to the club prior to Christmas, Lynn is looking forward to a solid pre-season before he makes his debut when the competition commences on April 11th.